AgilePM® Practitioner: On-Demand This course offers preparation for the Practitioner-level examination to gain the APMG-International™ / Agile Project Management Practitioner Certification. Agile Project Management (AgilePM) is the result of collaboration between APMG-International and The DSDM Consortium. DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method) is the longest-established Agile method, launched in 1995, and is the only Agile method to focus on the management of Agile projects. The method has evolved over the years and the DSDM Agile Project Framework is the latest version of which AgilePM is a subset. DSDM has always operated predominantly in the corporate environment and has consistently demonstrated its ability to successfully work with and complement existing corporate processes. APMG-International is a global Examination Institute accredited by The APM Group Ltd. It is one of the Examination Institutes accredited by AXELOS. APMG-International has regional offices located in Australia, China, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Malaysia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Their portfolio of qualifications includes the Best Practice qualifications of ITIL®, PRINCE2®, MSP®, M_o_R®, and P3O®. AgilePM is one of their specialist management qualifications, which also include Change Management and Service Catalogue. The course covers all the Practitioner elements of the AgilePM Handbook v2 with: Clear explanations of the method and practical examples provided by your course tutor Sample exam paper for the Practitioner-level exams to enrich your knowledge and understanding A case study to allow you to practice the application of the method to an agile project The Traditional Classroom option includes the Practitioner exam to provide you with the right opportunity to verify your new skill set by way of a professional qualification The Virtual Classroom option includes a Practitioner exam voucher to allow you to choose the date and time of your online exam to verify your new skill set by way of a professional qualification What You Will Learn You will learn how to: Identify and apply the concepts, tools, and techniques described in Section 2 (Digging Deeper) of the APMG-International's Agile Project Management Handbook (v2.0) to agile projects Tailor and customize AgilePM to suit the needs of different projects Use AgilePM in conjunction with other project management methods such as PRINCE2® Prepare yourself for the Practitioner exam in AgilePM Roles and Responsibilities - The PM View The roles Key project manager relationships Agile Project Management - Through the Lifecycle The DSDM process and the project lifecycle Project management focus phase by phase The Effective Use of Products The products Deliver on Time - Combining MoSCoW & Timeboxing Ensuring effective prioritisation Bringing MoSCoW and timeboxing together People, Teams, and Interactions Effective communication Collaboration Requirements and User Stories What is a requirement? User stories Estimating - How and When Coping with uncertainty Estimating through the lifecycle Project Planning through the Lifecycle Planning in a DSDM project Planning activities phase by phase Quality - Never Compromise Quality What do we mean by quality? Solution and process quality Risk Management Project risk How DSDM helps mitigate project risk Tailoring the Approach The project approach questionnaire Summary and Next Steps
Project Accounting and Finance Skills: Virtual In-House Training Do you manage both project schedules and budgets, but do not have insight into how actual results relate to the approved budget? Do you desire to have more clarity about the relationship between your project's performance with the accounting and financial systems in your organization? Do you need to understand financial and accounting terminology to bridge the gap between the 'world of finance' and the 'world of project management? Organizations have a need to manage-by-projects, because projects are the means to deliver on strategic goals and objectives. Therefore, the project manager must have an understanding of the financial world of investments to ensure the organization will realize expected business value. This requires a foundation in the principles of accounting and finance to comprehend how the project's contribution provides an organization with a competitive advantage. Learn what you must do to give your organization the assurance it needs that its investment in your project will realize business value. Learn what you must do to give your organization the assurance it needs to know that its investment in your project will realize business value. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Explain the aspects of classical corporate accounting and finance effects on managing projects Determine how your project fits into the corporate income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement Analyze the financial aspects of managing projects Use earned value management as the basis for decision making throughout the project life Recognize the importance of the project manager's financial responsibilities Focus on what PMs do and should be doing, in support of accounting and finance Use financial information within a project environment to meet financial results Track and analyze the project's financial status and forecast with the goal of realizing benefits Generate work performance data to ensure a project's outcome aligns with financial metrics Foundation Concepts Accounting and Finance Terms and Concepts Accounting and Finance Essentials Financial Terms and Concepts Projects as Financial Investments Overview of 'Two Worlds' Project as Investments Accounting and Finance World: Standards, Principles and Practices Accounting and Finance Standards and Principles Accounting and Finance Practices Capital Budgeting Corporate Budgeting Accounting and Finance World: Economic Project Selection Methods Economic Project Selection Methods Economic Project Selection and the Business Case Project Management World Project Management and Financial Controls Project Management and Work Performance Data Project Management and Earned Value Management Project Management and Work Performance Reporting
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Program: Virtual In-House Training This course is designed to instill an in-depth understanding of Lean Six Sigma and a clear sense of what is required to define high-impact improvement projects, establish Lean Six Sigma measurements, and complete Lean Six Sigma projects using the systematic and proven Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) methodology. This course is designed to instill an in-depth understanding of Lean Six Sigma and a clear sense of what is required to define high-impact improvement projects, establish Lean Six Sigma measurements, and complete Lean Six Sigma projects using the systematic and proven Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) methodology. Participants will learn basic tools and techniques of Lean Six Sigma and those who pass a thirty-question exam (70% or above) will become a Certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. This course is delivered through four 3-hour online sessions. What you Will Learn You'll learn how to: Establish the structure that supports and sustains Lean Six Sigma Quality Identify and calculate key Lean Six Sigma Measurements (Sigma, DPMO, and Yield) Select successful, high-impact projects that match strategic objectives Document, measure, and improve key processes using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) Methodology Utilize data-based thinking to make key business decisions Introduction to the Fundamentals and Vision of Lean Six Sigma Lean Six Sigma's focus on the customer, on quality, and on results The costs of poor quality Critical factors to consider when deploying Lean Six Sigma Lean Six Sigma as a process improvement methodology Lean Six Sigma metrics Why do it - ROI and payback for Lean Six Sigma Business Process Management Critical Lean Six Sigma roles and responsibilities Main aspects of managing the organizational change Project selection Metrics of Lean Six Sigma and the DMAIC Model How to strategically align business metrics and projects within an organization How to identify and measure quality characteristics which are critical to customers What does the customer (internal or external) really want from our products and services? Establishing appropriate teams and setting those teams up to be successful What defines a good measurement system? How are we doing (learning the secret to measuring the right things, right)? How to improve output measures by understanding and measuring the process Where are there defects (how to properly select and scope high-impact projects)? Where is the process broken (the Lean Six Sigma version of root cause analysis)? How to determine the process efficiency, or value add, of a process The appropriate use of quality tools Understanding the concept of variation and how to reduce knee-jerk reactions How to achieve breakthrough results for any key measure How can we ensure the identified improvements will be sustainable (the basics of process control)?
Earned Value Management: In-House Training: Virtual In-House Training Earned Value Management (EVM) incorporates a set of proven practices appropriate for project or program management methodologies. These include integration of program scope, schedule, and cost objectives, establishment of a baseline plan for accomplishment of program objectives and use of earned value techniques for performance measurement during the execution of a program. Earned Value Management (EVM) incorporates a set of proven practices appropriate for project or program management methodologies. These include integration of program scope, schedule, and cost objectives, establishment of a baseline plan for accomplishment of program objectives and use of earned value techniques for performance measurement during the execution of a program. EVM provides a solid platform for risk identification, corrective actions, and management re-planning as may be required over the life of a project or program. The course emphasis is on the latest EVM principles and concepts in accordance with changes and guidelines for Earned Value Management in The Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) and The Practice Standard for Earned Value Management published by the Project Management Institute. What you Will Learn You'll learn how to: Develop a project baseline, using an effective WBS Record actual project performance Calculate EVM measures Evaluate project performance based on EVM measures Respond to project variances Integrate EVM and risk management Determine how EVM will add value to your organization Develop an EVM implementation plan for your organization Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Expectations Foundation Concepts Introduction to Earned Value Management (EVM) Benefits of EVM EVM Process Overview Applications of EVM Creating a Work Breakdown Structure Reviewing WBS concepts Reviewing WBS development process (decomposition) Using a WBS to support EVM Building a Project Baseline Defining a project baseline Developing a project baseline Using a project baseline Recording Actuals Recording actuals overview Collecting data for actual project performance Determining earned value - various methods EVM Performance Measures Using current status measures Using forecasting measures Analyzing EVM measures EVM and Risk Management Integrating EVM and Risk Management Using EVM measures in the risk register Exploring how EVM can facilitate reserves management Drawing down contingency reserves Responding to Variances Introduction to variances Process for responding to variances Response options Reporting Project Performance EVM reporting overview Meeting EVM reporting needs Addressing EVM reporting challenges Implementing an EVMS Defining EVMS requirements EVM for Agile projects Tailoring the EVMS Summary and Next Steps Review of content Review of objectives / expectations Personal action plan
Project Quality Management: Virtual In-House Training In today's environment, quality is the responsibility of everyone. Project success is no longer just the fulfillment of a project on schedule, on budget, and within the scope. Today, projects aren't successful unless the customer's needs are met at the highest level of quality at the lowest cost to the organization. Project Managers must know customer needs, and manage to them throughout the project lifecycle, in order to gain acceptance. Project Quality Management provides an interactive, hands-on environment for participants to practice identification of critical quality requirements (quality planning), fulfillment of those requirements through well-designed processes (Quality Assurance), and statistical awareness of technical specifications of project deliverables (Quality Control). What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Plan for higher quality project deliverables Measure key performance indicators on projects, processes, and products Turn data into useful project information Take action on analyzed data that will drive down non-value-added costs and drive up customer acceptance and satisfaction Reduce defects and waste in current project management processes Foundation Concepts Quality Defined Customer Focus Financial Focus Quality Management Process Management Cost of Quality Planning for Quality Project Manager Role in Planning Voice of the Customer Quality Management Plan Measurement System Accuracy Data Gathering Data Sampling Manage Quality Process Management Process Mapping Process Analysis Value Stream Mapping Standardization Visual Workplace and 5S Error Proofing (Poka-Yoke) Failure Mode and Effect Analysis Control Quality The Concept of Variation Common Cause Special Cause Standard Business Reports Tracking Key Measurements Control Charts Data Analysis Variation Root Cause Analysis Variance Management Designing for Quality
Implementing Scrum for Teams: Virtual In-House Training Scrum is an iterative, incremental framework for developing products. It allows the team to deliver a potentially shippable set of functionalities for each iteration, providing the agility needed to respond to rapidly changing requirements. These characteristics have led to Scrum becoming the most popular method in the world of Agile projects. This two-day course provides a practical approach to implementing the Scrum method on your projects. You will learn how to initiate a Scrum project, how to build a Product Backlog, containing user stories, and how to plan and estimate releases and iterations. You will learn how to conduct Scrum events, such as the Sprint Planning Meeting, and how to track progress during an iteration. You will apply what you learn in a series of hands-on, team-based activities and simulations that take you through the entire Scrum process. The overall goal of the course is to enable you to successfully apply the Scrum method on appropriate projects in your environment. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Teach-back Agile and Scrum foundation concepts Initiate a Scrum Project Conduct Team Sprint Planning and Sprint Review meetings Develop Release Plans (including effective user stories and priorities) Build a Sprint plan (including effective estimates) Executive a Sprint (including essential Scrum ceremonies) Implement Scrum in your environment Foundation Concepts Agile Mindset, Values, and Tenets Agile Benefits and Methods Scrum Overview Teams: Self-Managing, Self-Organizing, and Self-Improving Initiating a Scrum Project 'Sprint Zero' Activities Defining the Vision The Product Backlog and User Stories Acceptance Criteria Story Map Planning Releases Planning releases Estimating user stories Prioritizing user stories Selecting a Sprint length Estimating velocity Creating a release plan Planning a Sprint The Sprint Planning Meeting Building the Sprint Backlog Creating a Sprint Plan Running a Sprint Conduct a Sprint Burn-down and Burn-up Charts Negotiating Changes During a Sprint The Sprint Review Meeting Sprint Retrospective Releasing into Production Closing the Scrum Project Implementing Scrum Scrum Simulation Exercise Conditions of Success for Implementing Scrum
Virtual Agile Teams: Virtual In-House Training Agile teams are a must in this world of intense competition, marketing demands, and changing expectations. Global virtual teaming has become a necessity as organizations become increasingly distributed, with suppliers and clients actively engaged in joint projects. Agile Teams now work across geographical, organizational, and cultural boundaries to deliver solutions and services to global users. Distance and differences may amplify the effect of issues and factors that are relatively straightforward for co-located Agile teams. This workshop delivers practical concepts and techniques that participants will start using immediately with their virtual Agile teams. The goal of the course is to enable you to successfully execute your preferred Agile or Scrum methods in a virtual project team environment. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Explain the characteristics of a virtual team and how they differ from a co-located team Build an effective virtual Agile team using a Team Charter approach Develop Release Plans, including prioritizing user stories, with a virtual Agile Team Construct a Sprint plan, including effective user story estimates, virtually Execute a Sprint, including essential Agile or Scrum ceremonies, virtually Conduct effective virtual meetings in an environment supportive of Agile and Scrum methods Foundation Concepts Agile Mindset and Values Agile Benefits and Methods Scrum Overview Co-located vs. Virtual Teams Forming Virtual Agile Teams Exploring Virtual Leadership Focusing on Virtual Agile Leaders Developing a Virtual Agile Team Charter Meeting Team Challenges in a Virtual Environment Planning Releases with a Virtual Agile Team Planning releases overview Estimating user stories Prioritizing user stories Setting release parameters Getting consensus on the release plan Planning a Sprint for a Virtual Project Sprint Planning Overview Confirming Sprint Scope with Virtual Agile Teams Developing a Sprint Delivery Plan for Virtual Agile Teams Running a Sprint in a Virtual Environment Self-organizing a Sprint for a Virtual Agile Team Using Scrum tools in a Virtual Environment Conducting End of Sprint Meetings in a Virtual Environment Iterating as a Virtual Agile Team Creating an Environment for Success Piloting a virtual Agile team Creating an Agile-friendly virtual environment
Assuring Quality Through Acceptance Testing: Virtual In-House Training It is also the business analyst's responsibility to confirm that the resulting solution developed by IT does, in fact, solve the defined problem. This is done first through testing, especially acceptance testing, and then through monitoring of the installed solution in the user community. It is the business analyst's job to define the business problem to be solved by IT. It is also the business analyst's responsibility to confirm that the resulting solution developed by IT does, in fact, solve the defined problem. This is done first through testing, especially acceptance testing, and then through monitoring of the installed solution in the user community. The business analyst is not only concerned with the testing itself, but also with the management and monitoring of the users doing the acceptance testing, and recording, analyzing, and evaluating the results. What you will Learn Upon completion, participants will be able to: Create a set of acceptance test cases Manage and monitor an acceptance test stage where users perform the testing Work with the development team in the systems testing stage Assess the solution once it is in the business environment Foundation Concepts The role of the business analyst An introduction to the BABOK® Guide BA roles and relationships through the project life cycle Introduction to assuring software quality through acceptance testing The Scope of IT Testing Overview of testing stages The testing process Testing documentation Pre-Acceptance Testing The BA's role in testing Early development testing stages (unit and integration) Late development testing stage (system) The Acceptance Test Stage - Part I (Planning, Design, and Development) Overview of user acceptance testing Acceptance test planning Designing user acceptance tests Developing individual user acceptance test cases Building effective user acceptance test scenarios The Acceptance Test Stage - Part II (Execution and Reporting) Operating guidelines Execution Reporting Post-Acceptance Testing Overview Project implementation Project transition (project closure) Production through retirement Testing Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Software Overview Selecting the software Implementing the software Summary What did we learn and how can we implement this in our work environments?
Risk Management for IT Projects: Virtual In-House Training IT projects may have direct bottom-line impact on the organization, cost millions of dollars, cause organizational change and change the way the organization is perceived by clients. Many IT projects are notoriously hard to predict and are filled with risk. IT Risk Management takes a comprehensive look at IT project risk management using PMI's PMBOK® Guide Risk Management Model in the context of IT Project Life Cycle phases. The goal of this course is to arm the practitioner with a rigorous, common-sense approach to addressing uncertainty in projects. This approach includes the ability to influence project outcomes, avoid many potential project risks, and be ready to calmly and efficiently respond to unavoidable challenges. What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Describe the risk management process, using the PMBOK® Guide's standard models and terminology Discuss the potential barriers to managing risk effectively in IT project organizations Develop an effective risk management plan for IT projects Identify project risks using IT-specific, practical tools Analyze individual risk events and overall project risk using IT-specific, practical approaches Plan effective responses to IT-specific risk based on the results of risk analysis and integrate risk responses into project schedules and cost estimates Manage and control risk throughout the IT project life cycle Implement selected elements of IT project risk management on your next project Foundation Concepts Basic concepts and purpose Risk and project constraints Risk and corporate cultures Risk management and IT PLC standards Plan Risk Management for IT Projects Plan Risk management process Plan Risk management activities Design a standard template Assess the project-specific needs Tailor the template Produce a project-specific risk management plan Gain consensus and submit as part of overall project plan A risk management plan of IT projects Identify Risks for IT Projects Identify risk process overview Risk categories and examples Risk identification tools Risk events by project life-cycle phases Perform Risk Analysis for IT Projects Perform qualitative risk analysis overview Core qualitative tools for IT projects Auxiliary qualitative tools for cost and schedule estimates When to use quantitative analysis for IT projects Plan Risk Response for IT Projects Plan risk response overview Active risk response strategies for IT projects (Threat and Opportunity) Acceptance and contingency reserves Contingency planning for IT projects Plan risk responses for IT projects Implement Risk Response for IT Projects Implement Risk Responses Executing Risk Response Plans Techniques and Tools Used Continuous Risk Management Monitor Risks for IT Projects Monitor risks overview Monitor risks tips for IT projects Technical performance measurement systems Risk management implementation for IT projects
Microsoft Excel® in Depth (Virtual) This practical course provides a solid background of the features of Excel and a deeper understanding of its features, benefits and uses.This is not a beginner's course in Excel. You will learn some advanced features such as Pivot Tables, Charting, Tables, Sorting, Filtering and Functions. The goal of this course is to provide a deeper understanding of Excel and its intricacies and a new ability to use it efficiently producing the best solutions for your projects. What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Use functions like IF, AVERAGE, SUMIF, SUMIFS, SUMPRODUCT, INDEX, MATCH, CHOOSE, DATE, and many more Create meaningful charts Use pivot tables Use Conditional Formatting, Data Validation Take advantage of using Named ranges, do sorting, filtering, tables